Jesus Unveiled

By Sharon Aubrey

Jesus Unveil reveals Christ's crucifixion week events were intricately prophesied in Old Testament analogies down to the exact days and hours.  Detailed charts and meaningful scriptural interpretation illuminate events during the crucifixion week were ascribed mandates on a divine calendar, outlining mankind's history and future destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relevant Publishers LLC
• Release date: Mar 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780990998419

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

The events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection during Passover are the defining moments in human history. Yet, far too few Christians know or understand the intricacies associated with this pivotal point in our history. God tirelessly painted an exquisite portrait of His love and salvation in prophetic promises dispersed throughout the Old Testament, which echo in fulfillment in the New Testament. Like a beautiful Monet painting created entirely of relatively small visible brush strokes, so too is the image created in God’s word. One looking from a distance sees the image of scenic water lilies, but this graceful picture wasn’t created with only one movement of the brush. Instead, the lilies are an intricate blending of many small, colorful strokes operating in harmony, each building upon the other. The image of Christ is similarly portrayed in the Bible. While one can look only at the New Testament scriptures and behold the broad picture of Christ, His divine personality and purpose had been intricately painted line upon line and precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:9-10) until at last the fulfillment of those prophecies appeared.

Many people are content to simply see the overall image of Monet’s water lily pond from a distance, never caring to know the intricacies that make up the image or appreciating the deeper knowledge that lies within the small dots. Similarly many Christians are content to simply know that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose from the grave three days later. To them, this is the core of the story, and it is enough. But there are those of us, who instinctively draw closer to the scene, and we see something so magnificent! We perceive the essence of the story is far beyond what rests on the surface or the casual view from a distance. The real beauty of the vision lies in the elaborate details, the intense accuracy, the incredible patience, and love it took to transform each brush stroke into the totality of the picture. These exploring Christians understand Proverbs 25:2 which states, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." In the searching, more knowledge and truth are revealed. Each fresh revelation brings a deeper appreciation for the wondrous love and wisdom of the Word of God. The image, which seemed so basic on the surface, transforms itself and becomes alive and multidimensional, touching the very heart of mankind and providing a glimpse into the Divine.

As we examine the small brush strokes of prophetic verses in the Old and New Testaments, we will be using hermeneutics, which are the recognized principles for studying and interpreting the Bible. These standards enable a clearer understanding of the Word of God within its historical context, spiritual perspective, practical application, symbolism, numerical value, and grammatical framework (definitions & verb tense). The foundation of hermeneutics rests on the Bible being the true word of God, the highest level of authority. It also asserts that whenever possible the Bible should interpret itself. We cannot read Scripture and put our own private interpretation on it (2 Peter 1:20). Whenever possible, Scripture should always be interpreted in context of the surrounding verses. Each section of Scripture must also harmonize with the rest of the Scriptures concerning a particular subject. Any interpretation of one text cannot contradict other Scriptures regarding that specific theme.

The other important concepts in hermeneutics used in this book include the Principle of First Mention.¹ The first time God presents a truth in the Bible, that truth never changes throughout the Scriptures. The Principle of Progressive Mention continues the original truth mentioned by God in first scripture and provides increasing knowledge on that particular truth until the full revelation is finally revealed. These two principles basically mean when God mentions a truth in Scripture for the first time, He continues that same theme throughout the bible often hidden in various other analogies, prophecies, parables, and words of wisdom. The original theme is expounded upon with each new story providing a deeper level of the same truth. Finally, as one progresses through the Bible, a wider revelation of the same Truth is revealed in its fullness.

Here is an example of how these two principals actually work. In the book of Genesis, we read the story of Abraham being instructed by God to take his son, Isaac, and sacrifice him upon Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:2-19). As Isaac realizes he and his father have all the provisions necessary to worship the Lord except the sacrifice, he questions his father regarding the required sacrificial animal. Abraham responds with, God Himself will provide a lamb (Genesis 22:8). After reaching the mountain, Abraham binds Isaac and lays him on the altar. However, before Abraham can kill Isaac, God intervenes sparing Isaac’s life. God also provides a ram caught in the thicket by it’s horns (Genesis 22:13) as the sacrificial animal. Abraham sacrifices the ram instead of Isaac. This general story provides the Principal of First Mention for the Biblical theme of the Lamb of God. This theme of the Lamb of God is continued as a Progressive Mention principal throughout the Bible.

While the Abraham/Isaac story alludes to God’s only Son being sacrificed. We can’t parallel God’s command to Abraham to take your only son… with anything prior to this account in Genesis to conclude God is going to sacrifice His own son. Only after reading Isaiah 9:6, unto us a Son is given and John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son does the Principal of First Mention progress into a deeper truth: God is giving His son as a sacrifice. Additionally, verses in Genesis indicating God Himself provided a substitutionary sacrifice of a ram in place of Isaac cannot be completely understood as foreshadowing God sending His son, Jesus as the Lamb of God to be sacrificed as a propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25) until we progress through the bible (Progressive Mention Principle). Later in the Bible, in the Book of Exodus we see additional requirements (progressive principles) that the sacrificial lamb must be without blemish. This lack of blemishing explains why the original ram was caught in the thorn by its horns. The thorns on its horns did not cause any blemishing to its body. If the ram had been caught in the thorns by its fleece, it would have been damage or bruised and not a sufficient sacrifice. The mentioning of the substitute sacrificial ram being caught in the thorns by the horns was also an illusion to the crown of thorns that would one day encircle the head of Jesus. Once we read the New Testament scriptures that Jesus was the a lamb without blemish (1 Peter 1:19), the fullness of God’s Son being the spotless lamb sacrificed for us becomes evident. Therefore, all of the Progressive Principals build upon the Principal of First Mention, and with each additional illumination, we comprehend a clearer understanding of the fullness of the Truth God was articulating.

Using these two basic principles, we will travel close to God’s canvas and explore the enormous details, accuracy of timing, prophetic verses and their fulfillment in the life of Jesus the Christ that compose the overall portrait of salvation.

Many commentaries found in today’s study or reference bibles regarding the timelines around the events of the crucifixion week are only superficial. One does not glean the historical truth behind the Jewish calendar and Torah principles that deeply affect the accuracy of the Old Testament prophecies, which must have been fulfilled to complete the image of Jesus as the Passover lamb. Therefore, this book will also provide a deeper insight into God’s prophetic calendar, the calendars of men, and details that only become apparent upon extensive evaluation which many Christian commentators are unwilling to explore, because such exploration will take them out of the comfort zone of Christian tradition into the truth of God’s word. Each Christian must decide for himself/herself the impact of the Truth of God’s word upon his/her future and face the impending question, if you were wrong, would you want to know it?

Jesus taught in Matthew 15:1-9 and Mark 7:1-7 that people who exalt tradition above the Word of God essentially make the Word of God of no real value in their lives. While not adhering to legalism as followers of Jesus, we must be careful that our lives and what we teach others about God truly lines up with His Word and His Spirit, or else we are in danger of compromising Truth for tradition and missing the depth, wisdom, and understanding God’s Word can impart to our lives. It is for this reason, I felt compelled to diligently search the Scriptures regarding the correlation of the events surrounding Passover and the timeline of events in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, researching and comparing Scripture with the traditions, history, and teachings of Judaism and the Christian church. May you be blessed with increased wisdom and understanding of the richness in God’s Word that continues to unveil Jesus Christ and His ministry of Grace and love on every page.

CHAPTER 1

CALENDARS & DATES

God’s Timing & The Jewish Calendar

It is imperative that we understand time and events the way God has ordained them in order to correctly interpret the events of the Bible and prophetic scriptures still to be fulfilled. The calendar method used by today’s societies (the solar calendar) does not calculate time, determine days or months, nor recognize special days based on the original model established by God. The misunderstandings of time calculations and scheduled events have led to many misinterpretations about what we understand from the bible. A warning against the altering of God’s timing for events echoes from the Book of Daniel 7:25, where Scripture declares that the Antichrist will "speak against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws." The word for times is the Hebrew word zemân which literally interpreted means a set time, an appointed occasion, season or time. If the Antichrist will seek to change or alter the times established by God’s calendar, Believers today should heed this warning and give serious consideration to the timeline of prophetic events declared by God in His Word, which will help them avoid future deception.

God states in the Book of Genesis that He created the sun, moon, and stars to provide mankind with a way to measure time, determine appointed seasons or festivals, and to discern omens or signals from Him. Additionally, the heavenly lights would also provide physical light to the Earth.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

Genesis 1:14-15

Since God has created the heavenly bodies to serve as a calendar for mankind, we should listen to how He ordered time to better understand the timing of prophetic events He has ordain in Scripture.

Calculating A Day

Throughout the first chapter of Genesis, God decreed a twenty-four (24) hour period of time by recognizing first the evening, then the morning. Each period of evening or morning corresponds to twelve hours. This twenty-four (24) hour period of time created a complete day.

"And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." Genesis 1:5

"And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day." Genesis 1:8

"And the evening and the morning were the third day." Genesis 1:13

"And the evening and the morning were the fourth day." Genesis 1:19

"And the evening and the morning were the fifth day." Genesis 1:23

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

The timeline for calculating the days of the week according to God’s calendar can clearly be seen from the first day to the sixth day of creation in the book of Genesis, with each day beginning in the evening. However, the seventh day of creation provides unique spiritual insight to God’s prophetic calendar because the seventh day has no reckoning of physical time recorded in the book of Genesis.

1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. 3And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.

Genesis 2:1-3

This lack of a specific accounting from evening to morning for the seventh day is not an oversight by the Holy Spirit. God specifically recorded He sanctified that day and rested from all His work. This holy seventh day isn’t just a physical day as the calculating in Genesis clearly leaves out. Rather, it is a perpetual spiritual day according to the book of Hebrews where God’s Sabbath or God’s Rest is a spiritual and physical resting place that mankind can by faith enter into or be excluded from it. A review of the end of the third chapter and the beginning of the fourth chapter of the Book of Hebrews clearly demonstrates the concept that the seventh day of creation, God’s Sabbath, is more than just a mere twenty-four (24) hour period of time lasting from evening to evening. It is stated Israel could not enter into God’s Sabbath rest because they lacked faith. There is also an exhortation to the Christian to enter into God’s Sabbath rest by faith.

"1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them [Israel]: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, and God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. 8For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."

Hebrews 4:1-11

The bold highlight in the scriptures above emphasize the fact that these verses make reference to the seventh day of creation, God’s Sabbath, which is an everlasting day of rest that man can enter into or be excluded from by faith. Therefore, the seventh day of creation’s Sabbath represents much more than a physical twenty-four (24) hour day. For if it were merely a physical day, it would have ended when the eighth day began. However, the Holy Spirit in the Book of Hebrews explains the seventh day still remains. It is interesting to note in the Book of Leviticus, God provides insight to the Jewish nation on how to establish the timeline for a Sabbath. The calculation provided is in complete agreement with the first six days of creation, with the day beginning at evening.

"32It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath."

Leviticus 23:32

Interestingly, God uses the words your Sabbath when delineating the physical timeline of a seventh day of the week, a Sabbath day for mankind. In the book of Exodus chapter 20, God referring to the physical seventh day of the week joins the physical day (24-hour period) with the everlasting spiritual significance of the original Sabbath day of creation. God’s entire prophetic calendar has dual references, literal physical days with eternal and spiritual significance. In recognition of God’s time pronouncements in Genesis and Leviticus, the nation of Israel has always observed a day to begin at sundown (approximately 6:30 PM) ending at the following sundown.

Hours in a Jewish Day

A Hebrew day is divided into twelve parts between sunset and sunrise (night) and twelve parts between sunrise and sunset (day).

The only scripture reference for the time of a Hebrew day is found in John 11:9, Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in a day?’ The duration of a Hebrew hour varies slightly with the season. In the winter, the ‘day hour’ is shorter than the ‘night hour’ in duration; while in the summer, the hours are reversed, and a ‘day hour’ is longer than a ‘night hour.’ A Jewish hour is calculated by taking the total time of daylight (from sunrise until sunset) of any particular day and dividing it into twelve equal parts.

For example:

In Jerusalem in the year 2014 on Passover, April 14th, the sunrise will be at 6:12 AM and sunset at 7:07 PM, giving 12 hours and 55 minutes of daylight, or 775 minutes, making the night time total 665 minutes.

775 minutes ÷ 12 hours = 64.58 minutes per daylight hour

665 minutes ÷ 12 hours = 55.42 minutes per nighttime hour

Averaging the twelve-hour sections into one-hour periods, the following table describes the Jewish hour with the corresponding Roman or Gregorian hour of the day.

When reading the Bible, it is important to delineate the Jewish hour from the Roman hour. The third hour (Hebrew) of the day is referred to in Matthew 20:3-4 and Mark 15:25 would equal 9:00 AM. While in John 19:14, Pilate began to questioned the crowd and Jesus at the (Roman) sixth hour, 6:00 AM Roman time, Jesus was later led to be crucified with the actual crucifixion taking place at 9:00 AM. Understanding the differences in calculating time 14 will help a reader better understand the parables of the New Testament. It also prevents confusion in the Gospels. Skeptics wrongly assert contradictions in the Gospels occur in the time line because they have not rightly divided the Word, nor have they applied the correct understanding of distinguishing a Roman hour from a Jewish hour of the day.

The Jewish Week

The Hebrew calendar arranges the days of the week as God originally ordered them in Genesis. It does not add additional terminology or words for each day to have its own name, but instead assigns them by the order they occurred: first day, second day, etc. The only day of the week to have an actual name is the seventh day, the Shabbat (or Sabbath). Shabbat literally means rest, and it is the day God rested from His work. In the Book of Exodus, God sanctifies this day as a Holy Day of rest for His people (Exodus 20:8-10).

The Jewish Day/Gregorian Day Table below combines God’s structure of a day beginning in the evening with the seven Western days of the week. A Jewish week would correspond to the following days on our current calendars. This table will help non-Jewish people understand the Sabbath day of rest begins on Friday evening and lasts until Saturday evening.

Jewish days corresponding to Gregorian calendar days:

Determining a Month

Not only does Scripture provide the calculation for measuring a day, but it also provides guidance for determining a month, which is based on a lunar cycle. Psalms 104:19 declares, He [God] appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. The word seasons is the Hebrew word mow’ed which translated means an appointed place, time, meeting; a sacred season; appointed festival or sign. The first day of the month in the original Jewish calendar began when the first sliver of the Hodesh moon became visible after the new moon (or dark of the moon). The crescent New Moon was called Hodesh in Hebrew (meaning to make new or renew) because it was the first time the moon is seen anew after being concealed at the end of the lunar cycle. When the first sliver of the crescent moon